Seat for a transport vehicle or craft, in particular an aircraft

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a seat for a transport vehicle or craft, in particular an aircraft, the seat including a support structure ( 1 ) and at least one armrest ( 2 ) comprising a rest element ( 4 ) mounted on one end of a strut whose other end is hinged to the support structure about a first transverse axis ( 7 ) to tilt between an in-use position in which the rest element is substantially horizontal and a forwardly-tilted retracted position in which the rest element is substantially vertical and in front of the seat. Said strut is L-shaped with a first arm ( 5 ) hinged at its free end about said first axis and extending substantially rearwards from said first axis when said strut is in its in-use position, and a second arm ( 6 ) extending substantially upwards when the strut is in its in-use position, and said rest element is hinged to the free end of said second arm of the strut about a second transverse axis ( 9 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat for a transport vehicleor craft, in particular an aircraft, and more particularly to such aseat including a support structure and at least one armrest comprising arest element mounted on one end of a strut whose other end is hinged tothe support structure about a first transverse axis to tilt between anin-use position in which the rest element is substantially horizontaland a forwardly-tilted retracted position in which the rest element issubstantially vertical and in front of the seat.

[0002] Such a seat is described in Document FR-A-2 233 821. In thatdocument, the rest element of the armrest is mounted rigidly on the freeend of the strut. As a result, even in its retracted position, thearmrest takes up a considerable amount of space, in particular the rearportion of the rest element which, in that position, projects forwardsand upwards from the front edge of the seat proper.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to mitigate that drawback.

[0004] More particularly, an object of the invention is to make thearmrest more compact, in particular when it is in its retractedposition.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide locking means thatare particularly suitable for an armrest of an aircraft cabin seat thatcan be transformed from an “economy-class” version to a “business-class”version.

[0006] To this end, the invention provides a seat for a transportvehicle or craft, in particular an aircraft, the seat including asupport structure and at least one armrest comprising a rest elementmounted on one end of a strut whose other end is hinged to the supportstructure about a first transverse axis to tilt between an in-useposition in which the rest element is substantially horizontal and aforwardly-tilted retracted position in which the rest element issubstantially vertical and in front of the seat, wherein said strut isL-shaped with a first arm hinged at its free end about said first axisand extending substantially rearwards from said first axis when saidstrut is in its in-use position, and substantially forwards from saidfirst axis when said strut is in its retracted position and a second armextending substantially upwards when the strut is in its in-useposition, and substantially downwards when the strut is in its retractedposition, and wherein said rest element is hinged to the free end ofsaid second arm of the strut about a second transverse axis.

[0007] The term “transverse” is used to mean substantially perpendicularto the plane of symmetry of the seat. The term “forwards” is used tomean the direction in which an occupant of the seat looks, and the term“rearwards” is used to mean the opposite direction.

[0008] The particular shape of the arm and the fact that the restelement is hinged to the arm make it possible to improve significantlythe compactness of the armrest in the retracted position.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, said rest element is provided with arecess behind said second axis, which recess is suitable for receivingsaid second arm when said strut is in its retracted position.

[0010] By enabling that portion of the strut which is connected to therest element to be received inside said rest element, such aconfiguration makes it possible to reduce the extent to which thearmrest projects forwards when it is in the retracted position.

[0011] Also in a particular embodiment of the invention, first lockingmeans are provided for locking the armrest at least when said strut isin the in-use position.

[0012] More particularly, said first locking means may comprise meansfor locking the rear portion of the rest element to said supportstructure.

[0013] Said locking means for locking the rear portion of the restelement to said support structure may comprise a transverse fingermounted on the rear end of said rest element, and organized toco-operate with hook-shaped end of a first lever hinged to said supportstructure about a third transverse axis.

[0014] It is also possible to provide an unlocking button mounted tomove on said support structure so as to move said first lever.

[0015] Also in a particular embodiment of the invention, second lockingmeans are provided for locking the armrest at least when the strut is inthe retracted position.

[0016] More particularly, said second locking means may comprise meansfor locking said rest element to said strut.

[0017] Said securing means may comprise a recess for receiving the frontend of said rest element, which recess is integral with said supportstructure.

[0018] Said second locking means may comprise a second lever hinged tosaid first arm of said strut about a fourth transverse axis and providedat its free end with a setback organized to co-operate with saidtransverse finger.

[0019] Said strut may be provided with passageways for at least onecable which may be an electrical cable or a mechanical control cable.

[0020] An abutment may be provided for acting when the rest element isin the in-use position to prevent said rest element from pivoting aboutsaid second transverse axis in the direction in which the armrest is putinto the in-use position.

[0021] Said abutment may be adjustable.

[0022] A particular embodiment of the invention is described below byway of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an armrest of the invention in thein-use position;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a view similar to the FIG. 1 view, with the armrestlocked in the retracted position;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a view similar to the FIG. 2 view, with the armrest inthe unlocked position;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view of the armrest as locked inthe in-use position;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of the armrest as locked inthe retracted position;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a cutaway perspective view on a larger scale of thelocking means for locking the armrest in the in-use position; and

[0029]FIG. 7 is a view similar to the FIG. 6 view, showing the lockingmeans for locking the armrest in the retracted position.

[0030] The figures show a support structure element 1 for an aircraftseat. In known manner, the structure supports the seat proper and theseat back.

[0031] An armrest 2 mounted on the structure element 1 is essentiallymade up of a strut 3 and of a rest element 4.

[0032] The strut 3 is substantially L-shaped and it is made up of firstand second arms 5 & 6 integral with each other.

[0033] The strut 3 is hinged to the structure element 1 about atransverse axis 7 via that end of the arm 5 which is remote from the arm6. When the armrest 2 is in its in-use position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,the arm 5 is substantially horizontal and extends rearwards from theaxis 7. In this position, the arm 6 extends substantially verticallyupwards.

[0034] When the armrest 2 is tilted forwards about the axis 7 into theretracted position, the arm 5 extends substantially horizontallyforwards from the axis 7 and the arm 6 extends substantially verticallydownwards.

[0035] The rest element 4 as provided with its padding 8 is hinged tothe free end of the arm 6 about a second transverse axis 9.

[0036] The rest element 4 is made up of two side cheek plates 10defining a recess 11 between them in the rear of the element.

[0037] When the armrest is in the in-use position, the rest element 4 issubstantially horizontal and perpendicular to the arm 6 of the strut 3.When the rest element 4 is in the retracted position, it issubstantially vertical and in front of the structure element 1, the arm6 then being received in the recess 11. In this position, the frontportion of the rest element 4 is engaged in a recess 12 integral withthe support structure.

[0038] A description follows of the means making it possible to lock thearmrest in its in-use position and in its retracted position.

[0039] An adjustable abutment 12′ is mounted on the rest element 4 so asto prevent the rest element from having a degree of freedom throughwhich it can pivot relative to the strut 3 about the axis 9 when thearmrest is in the in-use position. The entire armrest is then preventedfrom having a degree of freedom through which it can pivot about theaxis 7 by means described below.

[0040] Since the abutment 12′ is adjustable, it makes it possible toadjust the height of the rest element 4 when said element is in use.

[0041] Between its two cheek plates 10, and behind the recess 11, therest element 4 is provided with a transverse finger 13.

[0042] A first locking lever 14 is mounted on the structure element 1and hinged about a third transverse axis 15.

[0043] At its end, the lever 14 is provided with a hook-shaped notch 16suitable for co-operating with the finger 13. FIG. 6 shows that, whenthe armrest is in the in-use position, the finger 13 is engaged in thenotch 16 and is secured between the walls of said notch and a portion 17of the structure element 1. Resilient means (not shown) hold the lever14 in the position shown in FIG. 6.

[0044] An unlocking button 18 is mounted to slide in the structureelement 1 facing a projection 19 on the lever 14. The in-use position ofthe armrest 2 is unlocked by pressing on the button 18 so as to causethe lever 14 to pivot against the drive from the resilient means, andthereby to release the finger 13.

[0045] A description follows of the means for locking the armrest 2 inthe retracted position.

[0046]FIG. 7, in particular, shows that a second lever 20 is hinged tothe arm 5 of the strut 3 about a fourth transverse axis 21.

[0047] The lever 20 is substantially horizontal both when the armrest isin the in-use position, and when it is in its retracted position. Whenthe armrest is in its retracted position, the lever 20 extends forwardsrelative to the axis 21.

[0048] At its free end, the lever 20 is provided with a setback 22 intowhich the finger 13 comes into abutment when the armrest is in itsretracted position. Resilient means (not shown) urge the lever 20 intothis abutment position. Since, when the armrest is in this position, thefront end of the rest element 4 is engaged in the recess 12, the armrestcannot pivot as a whole about the axis 7 and it is thus locked in saidposition.

[0049] Starting from the retracted position, unlocking takes place bypressing on the lever 20 against the drive from the resilient means soas to release the finger 13 and so as to disunite the strut 3 from therest element 4.

[0050] Finally, it should be observed that it is optionally possible toomit the lever 20 and then provide merely the recess 12 so as to limitthe movement of the armrest when it is in its retracted position.

[0051] In FIGS. 4 and 5, it can also be seen that passageways 23 and 24are provided in the strut 3. The passageway 23 receives electricalcontrol cables 25 and the passageway 24 receives a mechanical controlcable 26.

1. A seat for a transport vehicle or craft, in particular an aircraft,the seat including a support structure and at least one armrestcomprising a rest element mounted on one end of a strut whose other endis hinged to the support structure about a first transverse axis to tiltbetween an in-use position in which the rest element is substantiallyhorizontal and a forwardly-tilted retracted position in which the restelement is substantially vertical and in front of the seat, wherein saidstrut is L-shaped with a first arm hinged at its free end about saidfirst axis and extending substantially rearwards from said first axiswhen said strut is in its in-use position, and substantially forwardsfrom said first axis when said strut is in its retracted position and asecond arm extending substantially upwards when the strut is in itsin-use position, and substantially downwards when the strut is in itsretracted position, and that said rest element is hinged to the free endof said second arm of the strut about a second transverse axis.
 2. Aseat according to claim 1, in which said rest element is provided with arecess behind said second axis, which recess is suitable for receivingsaid second arm when said strut is in its retracted position.
 3. A seataccording to claim 1, provided with first locking means for locking thearmrest at least when said strut is in the in-use position.
 4. A seataccording to claim 3, in which said first locking means comprise meansfor locking the rear portion of the rest element to said supportstructure.
 5. A seat according to claim 4, in which said locking meansfor locking the rear portion of the rest element to said supportstructure comprise a transverse finger mounted on the rear end of saidrest element, and organized to co-operate with hook-shaped of a firstlever hinged to said support structure about a third transverse axis. 6.A seat according to claim 5, provided with an unlocking button mountedto move on said support structure so as to move said first lever.
 7. Aseat according to claims 1, including second locking means for lockingthe armrest at least when the strut is in the retracted position.
 8. Aseat according to claim 7, in which said second locking means comprisemeans for locking said rest element to said strut, and securing meansfor preventing the armrest as locked in this way from pivoting aboutsaid first transverse axis.
 9. A seat according to claim 8, in whichsaid securing means comprise a recess for receiving the front end ofsaid rest element, which recess is integral with said support structure.10. A seat according to claim 1, in which said strut is provided withpassageways for at least one cable which may be an electrical cable or amechanical control cable.
 11. A seat according to claim 1, in which anabutment is provided for acting when the rest element is in the in-useposition to prevent said rest element from pivoting about said secondtransverse axis in the direction in which the armrest is put into thein-use position.
 12. A seat according to claim 11, in which saidabutment is adjustable.
 13. A seat for a transport vehicle or craft, inparticular an aircraft, the seat including a support structure and atleast one armrest comprising a rest element mounted on one end of astrut whose other end is hinged to the support structure about a firsttransverse axis to tilt between an in-use position in which the restelement is substantially horizontal and a forwardly-tilted retractedposition in which the rest element is substantially vertical and infront of the seat, wherein said strut is L-shaped with a first armhinged at its free end about said first axis and extending substantiallyrearwards from said first axis when said strut is in its in-useposition, and substantially forwards from said first axis when saidstrut is in its retracted position and a second arm extendingsubstantially upwards when the strut is in its in-use position, andsubstantially downwards when the strut is in its retracted position, andthat said rest element is hinged to the free end of said second arm ofthe strut about a second transverse axis, the seat being provided withfirst locking means for locking the armrest at least when said strut isin the in-use position, said first locking means comprising means forlocking the rear portion of the rest element to said support structureand comprising a transverse finger mounted on the rear end of said restelement, and organized to cooperate with hook-shaped end of a firstlever hinged to said support structure about a third transverse axis,the seat including second locking means for locking the armrest at leastwhen the strut is in the retracted position, said second locking meanscomprising a second lever hinged to said first arm of said strut about afourth transverse axis and provided at its free end with a setbackorganized to co-operate with said transverse finger.